VIDEO: Baby giraffe arrives just in time for Mother’s Day

This newborn showed some neck with her arrival just in time for Mother’s Day.

Nuru the giraffe is the fourth calf born to Savannah at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, and entered the world om Wednesday (February 24).

She already stands at 5ft 6ins and the keepers, who named her after the Swahili word for ‘light’, is a fluffy, miniature picture of her 16ft tall mum.

Keeper Cassie Taylor said: “Savannah is a fantastic mum, so it was particularly lovely to have the calf arrive in time for Mother’s Day.

“We were lucky enough to be there to observe the birth, and watched Nuru as mum Savannah gently helped her stand up and delicately cleaned her new arrival.

“Savannah is attentive and protective, but also relaxed enough to let dad Bashu and the other members of the group play their roles in childcare too.”

The baby giraffe was born at 9am, and after less than an hour of wobbly attempts, soon figured out how to use her long legs to stand up to her full height.

At just eight days old, Nuru has already been spotted exploring her surroundings and interacting with other members of the herd, showing similar personality traits to her bold and inquisitive parents.

Cassie Taylor added: “Calves don’t usually wean from their mothers’ milk until they are a few months old but Nuru is already showing an interest in leaves, and at one point dunked her whole head in the water bowl!

“She’s a really wonderful addition to the group and will make a great playmate for 18-month-old Luna and two-year-old Willow.”

The new calf is part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which helps ensure the survival of endangered species in Zoos across Europe.

To book a visit now to see Nuru and the rest of the giraffe herd, as well as ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s other 2,500 animals, visit www.zsl.org

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